The Regent Bar
The Regent Bar
4.5
4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Monday
4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Friday
4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
About
Comfortable sofas, quirky decor and relaxed ambience make The Regent a welcoming and comfortable LGBT+ space, though of course we are "straight-friendly". A large range of local and international lagers, ales & ciders are available from our 14 taps, including 3 cask ales and a cask cider. Wine, spirits, coffees, teas & soft drinks are of course available. We must admit that we haven't ventured into the world of cocktails! We play a huge range of background music in the bar; you may hear The Beatles, Frank Zappa, Abba or Dvorak. Music levels are kept low so that people can chat easily with friends. There have been a few changes since COVID - we no longer serve food - young people under 18 years old are not allowed - we do not allow dogs. We were finalists in the Great British Pub Awards 2022!
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- Mark GLondon, United Kingdom23 contributionsJust how Pubs should beMy wife and I were staying nearby, and came in on the way back from the Old Town one night....we then visited every night after that, and even met a friend from Edinburgh in here for a Saturday night drink. Living in London, we have a multitude of pubs nearby, but none with the warmth, the friendliness and laid back atmosphere that The Regent has. Its how all pubs should be, welcoming to everyone and everyone made to feel like they are a regular Good selection of beers (haven't had Deuchars for years after our London local stopped selling it, was like meeting an old friend) wines, spirits. A varied snack selection and huge bowls of freshly made popcorn incase you get the munchies. The staff are excellent and a part of why this is a wonderful pub - London pubs won't feel the same anymore. Hopefully we will be back XVisited July 2022Written July 5, 2022
- sfuhere744 contributionsGood gay pubIt’s difficult to judge what this place would be like “normally” as Covid changes have really been taken very seriously indeed here. There’s a one way system and shower curtains hung up between the tables(!) Maybe I’m just too relaxed about everything but I found it ever so slightly over the top. Nonetheless, for people worried about catching the virus, this is probably a good choice. Although people like that are probably going to be staying at home anyway. I did like the fact that this is a gay PUB with real ale, not a bar. There is a distinct lack of traditional pubs on the gay scene and I liked the atmosphere in here, or I would have done if there was anyone else there. Sadly, kept to your own tables it’s impossible to socialise at all, which is of course not the pub’s fault. I will visit again next time I’m in Edinburgh when Covid-19 has been consigned to the history books.Visited September 2020Traveled with friendsWritten September 8, 2020
- Hayley MEdinburgh, United Kingdom10 contributionsBest bar in EdinburghThe Regent is one of the friendliest bars in Edinburgh and one of my favourites. The staff work hard to make everyone feel welcome and relaxed. Have been in a few times in recent weeks and can see the work that has been done to make you feel safe in these strange and very difficult times. The special atmosphere that the Regent has, has not been lost. I for one am very happy the regent is open again and looking forward to many more visits soon.Visited August 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten August 23, 2020
- Billy1 contributionShocking prices!I've been drinking in The Regent for quite some time now but sadly I feel this will be coming to an end due to the shocking prices. I attended this evening and got a pint of Stella which cost £6.20. Even the bar staff seemed embarrassed at asking for that amount. I appreciate the cost of everything has gone up and there needs to be an increase somewhere but it has got to the stage where bars and restaurants appear to be taking the proverbial out of their customers. These are London prices, but it isn't a London venue! I'd always classed The Regent as my local but I'll definitely be going elsewhere. The atmosphere in the pub was great, the staff are always friendly, but the days of being able to go there and have a night of drinks with friends are no more. It's cheaper in the bars in town and I imagine they have higher costs to contend with too. If they can keep their prices lower, surely The Regent can too? A sad day indeed.Visited April 2023Traveled with friendsWritten April 28, 2023
- hanburyaveDerby, United Kingdom325 contributionsTragicWords can not describe how tragic this bar was. No music, no atmosphere, rude staff. Turning people away on a Friday night at 10 30pm when the place was virtually empty god knows how this place manages to stay open. With all this Covid nonsense it’s basically not worth going out especially to this bar. At 11 o clock the pompous bar man rings the bell and says you have 5 mins to finish your drink and leave. What a dump I won’t be returning. I feel sorry for the people of Edinburgh if they think this is a normal gay bar.Visited August 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten August 21, 2020
- Chris d2 contributionsbest bar ever in Edinburghthe Regent bar is the best bar in Edinburgh.Very nice and friendley staff. They can listen help you when you have questions or problems real honest staff all the time. I come back always. Crazy stupid people write things i see that is not true. I think that are people and guests ftom other bars because they are empty and have nothing to do. The Regent live all the rulrs in the Covid 19 that is very goed and safe. People who can not understand that everyone off the staff doeing their very best can better stay home. But don't write lies about the Regent barVisited August 2020Traveled with friendsWritten August 23, 2020
- Honest reviewsBelfast, United Kingdom65 contributionsLovely placeThe Regent Bar was a safe place for myself and my girlfriend to visit. It was the first place in the city we were happy to relax and be ourselves. It’s a quirky little pub that has adapted well to covid. The only issue was our pint and cider was flat. This was a bit disappointing but as we felt so comfortable there, we didn’t really careVisited July 2021Traveled as a coupleWritten July 13, 2021
- Jules (Edinburgh)4 contributionsA great place to kick backPopped in recently to have a drink with a friend. The Regent, an Edinburgh institution for many years was as I always remembered. Recently reopened due to covid, it was lovely to be back. The familiar buzz and relaxed atmosphere was just perfect. Yes, there was no music (in Scotland we’re not allowed to have music in bars during pandemic, it’s a safety measure), but despite that a wonderful drink in a wonderful atmosphere. And I for one felt really safe. Many thanks guys.Visited August 2020Traveled with friendsWritten August 23, 2020
- Sophie W2 contributionsBrilliant :)The Regent is a truly wonderful Bar :) The Staff are brilliant and the atmosphere fantastic. They care for staff and customers with their outstanding efforts to make the bar safe in these COVID times. I highly recommend this bar for a lovely going out experience. Fab choice of drinks, friendly staff and has a great cozy feel. Very LGBT plus friendly. I can't praise this venue enough :)Visited August 2020Traveled with friendsWritten August 23, 2020
- mark tNewcastle and Gateshead, United Kingdom13 contributionsFantasticThe second time I have visited, first time with my wife and sons then with my two sons. Great beer and atmosphere. The music is a fantastic mix in the Regent, it's the sort of place where everyone is made to feel welcome, no matter who you are. So popular you may need to book a table, although you can just walk in. Unfortunately they'd ran out of plum porter but I was reassured by the Hawaiian shirted bar man that it would be making a return.Visited February 2023Traveled with friendsWritten February 10, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
180 reviews
Excellent
108
Very good
46
Average
9
Poor
7
Terrible
10
will c
Redhill, UK18 contributions
Sep 2015 • Solo
Have been in here before with friends and always got a decent welcome and service.
Came in for a few drinks on the way home after working. The bar was busy-ish...but not packed. Two guys behind the bar, one having a conversation with some blokes at the end of the bar, looked over, saw me waiting to be served, then just continued with his conversation. The other guy decided it was time to collect a few glasses, so he came out from behind the bar and proceeded to do so. There were two guys sitting at the bar drinking and both remarked on the lack of service given. Eventually the guy having the conversation decided to come over and see what I wanted. I left!!
If you can't be bothered providing any form of satisfactory customer service, go and work somewhere else.
Came in for a few drinks on the way home after working. The bar was busy-ish...but not packed. Two guys behind the bar, one having a conversation with some blokes at the end of the bar, looked over, saw me waiting to be served, then just continued with his conversation. The other guy decided it was time to collect a few glasses, so he came out from behind the bar and proceeded to do so. There were two guys sitting at the bar drinking and both remarked on the lack of service given. Eventually the guy having the conversation decided to come over and see what I wanted. I left!!
If you can't be bothered providing any form of satisfactory customer service, go and work somewhere else.
Written September 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ColinJHerd
Edinburgh, UK54 contributions
Call me old fashioned but getting yelled at by the staff in a bar is never a particularly great look.
I've never given a bad review before. My general attitude is to only review things if I like them, but I was so disappointed with my experience in this bar last night that I feel the need to write a review. In part, because I was influenced to go by reviews of it on here and they were so contrary to what I experienced last night.
It's a shame because there's a lot good about this place: decor is pleasingly sort of on-trend ramshackle; they have real ales, better-than-average wine and the bartender who served us was very nice and polite and helpful- she was excellent.
Unfortunately, things went badly downhill after we took our seats at some stools at the bar- which we didn't move, just sitting on them in the position they were in when we arrived. I was enjoying a chat with my friends, just relaxing and having a conversation, when a man carrying plates from the kitchen started repeatedly yelling "Excuse Me!" very loudly, condescendingly and rudely into my ear. He couldn't apparently get passed the stool. A little politeness wouldn't have gone amiss - if he had gently asked us to move one of the stools then of course that would have been no problem whatsoever, but this man had a serious attitude problem and frankly seemed to resent us for sitting in the bar at all. When I stood up and apologised for being in the way he said "you could have used a bit of initiative and moved the stool". I felt like I was back in school!
Anyway, I won't be back. I have better things to do than go to bars where the staff are rude and insulting. His attitude is frankly an embarrassment.
I've never given a bad review before. My general attitude is to only review things if I like them, but I was so disappointed with my experience in this bar last night that I feel the need to write a review. In part, because I was influenced to go by reviews of it on here and they were so contrary to what I experienced last night.
It's a shame because there's a lot good about this place: decor is pleasingly sort of on-trend ramshackle; they have real ales, better-than-average wine and the bartender who served us was very nice and polite and helpful- she was excellent.
Unfortunately, things went badly downhill after we took our seats at some stools at the bar- which we didn't move, just sitting on them in the position they were in when we arrived. I was enjoying a chat with my friends, just relaxing and having a conversation, when a man carrying plates from the kitchen started repeatedly yelling "Excuse Me!" very loudly, condescendingly and rudely into my ear. He couldn't apparently get passed the stool. A little politeness wouldn't have gone amiss - if he had gently asked us to move one of the stools then of course that would have been no problem whatsoever, but this man had a serious attitude problem and frankly seemed to resent us for sitting in the bar at all. When I stood up and apologised for being in the way he said "you could have used a bit of initiative and moved the stool". I felt like I was back in school!
Anyway, I won't be back. I have better things to do than go to bars where the staff are rude and insulting. His attitude is frankly an embarrassment.
Written December 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S M
Edinburgh, UK77 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
A wee group of us decided to go here due to the overcrowding of all the city centre bars/restaurants. I am so glad we did. Friendly warm atmosphere served up by attentive staff and good food. The beef chilli was amazing. I got the impression that the food was cooked offsite and then Chef Mike reheated it but honestly you would think that it was your mums comfort food from home. Top marks and very happy customers. The winter special of mulled wine had my friend feeling bliss.
Keep up the great work and don't stop smiling :-)
Keep up the great work and don't stop smiling :-)
Written December 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin Edward C
Edinburgh, UK8 contributions
Bar maid declined service of food. She later had a meal in front of me in the open plan kitchen at 22:00 as I could see as I sat at the bar. Two staff on the other bar man spent his time on his mobile. And served no one in this 40minute time period other to his mobile.
Written November 2, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DexxTravels
Edinburgh, UK559 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
This bar is very much as it seems a locals bar. There's not much interaction from the staff here and there were the bar staffs friends in during our visit. The service was ok but the bar, it just felt a little neglected.
There was a smoking area but even the staff smoke right in the doorway so the smoke blows right into the bar itself and it stinks. The toilets weren't in the best condition either.
Personally I wouldn't recommend going back to this bar however it's worth a try for a quick pint if your willing to walk just out of the city centre.
There was a smoking area but even the staff smoke right in the doorway so the smoke blows right into the bar itself and it stinks. The toilets weren't in the best condition either.
Personally I wouldn't recommend going back to this bar however it's worth a try for a quick pint if your willing to walk just out of the city centre.
Written June 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt S
Edinburgh, UK76 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Been coming here for a few years and more so since I moved here in 2014. Love this place, a very much spit and sawdust kind of place, no disrespect. That is what works for it. Unpretentious.
Love the sofas and the two winged armchairs beside the bar. Very dog friendly .
Great beers and wines, The Shilling 70 slips down so well!! Love their Merlot!
Alan does the best Nachos, and they are my staple when I and my mate go there and their sticky toffee pudding is delicous.
Alan and the crew do a great job, this is great pub , long may it continue!!
Love the sofas and the two winged armchairs beside the bar. Very dog friendly .
Great beers and wines, The Shilling 70 slips down so well!! Love their Merlot!
Alan does the best Nachos, and they are my staple when I and my mate go there and their sticky toffee pudding is delicous.
Alan and the crew do a great job, this is great pub , long may it continue!!
Written July 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Magrita M
Warsaw, Poland23 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
My partner and I live in Edinburgh for years. Maybe we're not coming here very often but if we are in the area we always pop in. Good music, friendly staff, great beer and decent choice of high volume alcohol. Food is not bad as well. Big portions prepared in a good time scale. No one watching, no one judging. We love this place👍🏻
Written February 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luke Hoare Greene
Dublin, Ireland111 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
My boyfriend and I decided to try the Regent for a drink because it was so highly rated here on TripAdvisor, but found it average.
I'm not sure if its a UK thing, but single line queues at a bar seems very odd to me. I walked up to one of the many empty spots at the bar but was told that I was skipping the queue (which I originally mistook as just a group of people standing near the bar).
There was a single file queue stretching back from the bar, which I've only ever seen happen elsewhere in the UK, so maybe it's normal there?
The bar itself is dated, but cosy enough. It could definitely do with more seating and tables though, as it wasn't too busy yet there was nowhere to sit. The vast number of people sitting around at tables with empty glasses was baffling, and in any other pub I'd expect the staff to either ask the people if they're having more, and if not to leave.
One man took up an entire table with his macbook and notepad where he was drawing and listening to music on his headphones. This would be fine if it were the middle of the day, but it was a Friday evening, I'd expect the staff to say something to him.
Ultimately there are many better pubs closer to the city, including better LGBT spaces too.
I'm not sure if its a UK thing, but single line queues at a bar seems very odd to me. I walked up to one of the many empty spots at the bar but was told that I was skipping the queue (which I originally mistook as just a group of people standing near the bar).
There was a single file queue stretching back from the bar, which I've only ever seen happen elsewhere in the UK, so maybe it's normal there?
The bar itself is dated, but cosy enough. It could definitely do with more seating and tables though, as it wasn't too busy yet there was nowhere to sit. The vast number of people sitting around at tables with empty glasses was baffling, and in any other pub I'd expect the staff to either ask the people if they're having more, and if not to leave.
One man took up an entire table with his macbook and notepad where he was drawing and listening to music on his headphones. This would be fine if it were the middle of the day, but it was a Friday evening, I'd expect the staff to say something to him.
Ultimately there are many better pubs closer to the city, including better LGBT spaces too.
Written January 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
angusmcl62
Edinburgh, UK1 contribution
Sep 2015
Usually I love this place which has a great atmosphere, good range of beers and generally welcoming staff BUT - the young bearded barman on duty tonight (8 Sept) needs an urgent customer service refresher. The answer to a sudden influx of thirsty customers is not to growl at them to go away until you're ready but to ask a colleague to come and help. Shouldn't need to point this out!
Written September 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelTime
Edinburgh, UK4 contributions
May 2013 • Business
I travel all over the UK for work, I spent the last 2 weeks in Edinburgh, we went to this pub after one hard day at work after 10 days of non stopping (12h/days), I invited the young girl who makes the coffees & teas at the office, a pint for her and half pint for me of shandy with stella (as I was driving), the guy put an amount in the till (£4 something?) but charged me a different amount by card, £8.30 for those 2 drinks!!! When I said, “Sorry how much for these?” pointing at the 2 drinks he just made in front of me, he said £8.30!, I didn’t want to embarrass myself , so I paid by card and asked for the receipt, he only gave me the card receipt and when I asked for the till receipt, he ignored me and served next person… I just thought “I don’t know the area and maybe this is an extremely overpriced pub!” (It’s not posh, and hardly clean but hey maybe this is what you paid for)
So I sat with my colleagues and have my drink, we only stayed for 20/30 mins and of course we wont go to that pub again!, we went to different ones, with normal prices, and jokingly I said to one of the bartenders in a lovely old pub (I cant remember the name) that I was charged over £8 for a pint and a half pint of shandy, and he just said “probably they just riped you off because you have a foreign accent!” (It’s true I have a foreign accent!, even if I’ve lived here 50% of my life!, but really???) Oh well… not putting my feet inside this pub again and in the office we have added this in to the list of “AVOID” (before it was only take away places!…)…
Don’t go, there are lots of lovely places in Edinburgh, this is not one of them!
So I sat with my colleagues and have my drink, we only stayed for 20/30 mins and of course we wont go to that pub again!, we went to different ones, with normal prices, and jokingly I said to one of the bartenders in a lovely old pub (I cant remember the name) that I was charged over £8 for a pint and a half pint of shandy, and he just said “probably they just riped you off because you have a foreign accent!” (It’s true I have a foreign accent!, even if I’ve lived here 50% of my life!, but really???) Oh well… not putting my feet inside this pub again and in the office we have added this in to the list of “AVOID” (before it was only take away places!…)…
Don’t go, there are lots of lovely places in Edinburgh, this is not one of them!
Written May 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alasdair M
2 contributions
can i get the bar mans phone number. I wouldn't mind him been inside me more than once.
я очень одиокий человек
Roberta H
Edinburgh, UK
Do you do a pub quiz? If so what night, and what time is it on?
Alan N
Edinburgh, UK
Hello Roberta, we used to host an LGBT fundraising quiz once a month but we have new neighbours in the apartment above the pub and they complained so much about the noise that we had to cancel our events.
Billsotherstuff
West Midlands, UK
Opening times for Sundays?
Any vegan options on the menu?
elgregg0
Skipton, UK121 contributions
Hi guys are you open today and do you serve any cask ales?
Gary_the_scarf
Falkirk, UK14 contributions
The pub opens at 12:30 on a Sunday, there are vegan options.
Janet S
14 contributions
Can you offer a Burn's Supper for Burn's night 2017 for say 10 - 20 people? Any indication of price per head would be helpful.
Alan N
Edinburgh, UK
Hello Janet, Thankyou for your message.
Unfortunately the kitchen at The Regent is tiny and it would be extremely difficult or, to be more accurate, impossible for us to cater for a Burns' Night supper.
Thankyou for thinking of us and I hope you can find a suitable venue. All our love, The Regent xxx
gilljo073
Hertfordshire, UK20 contributions
Do you cater for parties of about 47? Buffet, music etc.
Gill
Alan N
Edinburgh, UK
Hi Gill,
The Regent has a back room that can hold 50 people at a push.
Buffet is possible but live music is not due to our neighbours who live above the pub.
Which date were you planning for your party of about 47?
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